15 Psychological Tricks to Know if Someone Likes You
Deciphering the mysteries of romantic interest can be as complicated as trying to read a book in a language you barely know. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you! In this article, we’ll explore simple psychological tricks that will help you know if someone likes you.
Not everyone expresses their feelings directly. Therefore, when you want to detect if a person is interested in you, it’s essential that you pay attention to their non-verbal communication, body language, and behavior in general. With no further ado, let’s get started!
1. Do they maintain eye contact with you?
For some people, it’s easy to look others straight in the eye, showing interest without words. However, others may avoid eye contact out of shyness or may not be able to sustain it for more than a few seconds.
Whether you’re faced with a staring gaze or one that’s averted with inhibition, both behaviors can indicate attraction or interest. So, pay attention to those eyes, as it’s one of the main psychological tricks to know if someone likes you.
2. Do your jokes produce laughter?
Let’s be honest, not every joke is worthy of a standing ovation. Even if your jokes are good, they don’t always merit an explosion of laughter. So if that person laughs exaggeratedly at even your simplest jokes, they may feel something more than just finding your sense of humor funny.
3. Do you notice nervousness when you’re around them?
Take a look at how the person reacts when you approach them. Nervousness could be an indicator that, for this person, being around you is more than a casual situation. When you appear on the scene, do they demonstrate restlessness? Do they make clumsy movements? These nerves can be a sign that they want to connect with you and make a good impression on you.
4. Do their pupils dilate when they see you?
Pupil dilation is an automatic physiological response that’s linked to emotion and arousal. According to research published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, when we like someone or something, our pupils tend to expand. This small detail could have more meaning than you imagine!
5. Do they take advantage of any excuse to make physical contact with you?
See if the person finds reasons to touch you casually. A simple touch on the arm or a sudden hug may be a sign that they’re attracted to you. When physical contact becomes more common, this expresses that closeness isn’t just a coincidence but something they actively seek.
6. Do their feet point toward you?
Our feet are like arrows that point in the direction of interest. Therefore, paying attention to the direction of a person’s feet is one of the valuable psychological tricks to know if someone likes you. Furthermore, if you also notice that their entire body is leaning towards you as if they were looking to invade your personal space a little, it’s likely that your presence won’t go unnoticed by that person.
7. Do they try to spend time alone with you?
Are you at a meeting with friends, but at some point, this person suggests taking a walk alone? These types of situations reveal that they not only value your company in a group but also seek more intimate moments where the attention is focused exclusively on the two of you.
8. Do they include you in future plans?
Talking about future events and making sure you’re in the picture is an indicator that a person doesn’t see you as a temporary fixture but as a person they hope to maintain contact with. There’s more than just plans here, there’s a genuine desire to have you in their life for a good while!
9. Are they interested in learning more about your story?
If you see that this person digs beyond superficial conversations and dives into the details of your life, you’re looking at someone who wants to get to know you in depth. Do they ask you questions about your past, your childhood, or your dreams? This is a clear sign that they’re interested in knowing more than what you’re revealing.
10. Do they share personal aspects with you?
Not everyone is willing to open the doors of their lives and share personal information. If someone does, it’s likely that he or she is interested in you or likes you, as they want to show you their more human side.
Sharing experiences, anecdotes, or even those more private corners that not many know about with you is a sign that you’re gaining ground in their circle of trust.
11. Do they play with your hair or straighten their clothes constantly?
Playing with their hair or making frequent adjustments to their clothes isn’t always a matter of style; This may be an expression of nervousness or a conscious effort to look good in front of you.
12. Do they initiate conversation?
Another psychological trick that will help you know if someone likes you is to observe if that person takes the initiative to talk to you. If you find that they’re the one who makes the first move to start a conversation, whether in person or through social media, they probably have a real interest.
13. Do they use puns or innuendos?
Do you notice that the conversation becomes a subtle playing field, full of double meanings or insinuations? Perhaps it’s a seduction tactic: they’re likely to test the waters to see how you react. Additionally, if their text messages seem more like a carnival of emojis or stickers than a simple conversation, it could be your way of conveying excitement about interacting.
14. Do they look at your mouth?
Don’t miss this detail of non-verbal communication. Does their gaze fall to your lips when you talk? Attention to your mouth may be a sign that you’re thinking about something other than the words you’re exchanging.
15. Do they act differently with you than they do with others?
If you find that there’s something unique or different about the way someone treats you, your presence may have a special impact on that person. Does their voice change when they talk to you? Does their body posture transform when you appear on the scene? This may indicate that their relationship with you goes beyond superficiality and takes on a more authentic dimension.
Love clues: How to interpret these psychological tricks to know if someone likes you?
In short, decoding the signs of romantic interest doesn’t have to be that complex. Clues like eye contact, shared laughter, and wanting to know more about your life are psychological tricks that shed light on someone’s feelings.
However, it’s important to remember that these signs must be interpreted holistically, as each person is unique. Don’t just look at signs in isolation: Consider the overall context and be aware that interpretation may vary. Ultimately, if uncertainty persists, go one step further and ask directly.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Baró, T. (2012). La gran guía del lenguaje no verbal. Editorial Paidos. Barcelona.
- Leknes, S., Wessberg, J., Ellingsen, D. M., Chelnokova, O., Olausson, H., & Laeng, B. (2013). Oxytocin enhances pupil dilation and sensitivity to ‘hidden’emotional expressions. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 8(7), 741-749. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791062/
- Rohr, M. K., Salazar Kämpf, M., & Kunzmann, U. (2022). Love and Imitation: Facial Mimicry and Relationship Satisfaction in Younger and Older Couples. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(7), 1210-1218. https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/77/7/1210/6398507
- Vacharkulksemsuk, T., Reit, E., Khambatta, P., Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Carney, D. R. (2016). Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(15), 4009-4014. https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1508932113
